Striker Deivid Washington has insisted he does not see his time at Chelsea as a failure and instead believes it was part of God’s plan for him.
Gazeta Esportiva cover comments from the young striker today after he was officially announced by Santos.
The 19-year-old has joined the Brazilian side on loan until the end of 2025 after a miserable few years at Chelsea since arriving in 2023.
He had made his way through the Brazilian side’s youth ranks and was considered a talent for the future before Chelsea snapped him up in a €16m deal in August 2023.
He was supposed to be one of numerous talent to develop for the future but instead found himself out of the picture at Stamford Bridge, making just three appearances for the first team and spending most of his time in Premier League 2 with the U21s.
Santos had expressed a desire to get him back and have now made that happen, securing him on loan with an option to buy included.
Some would see that return as a failure and the move to Chelsea as a wasted two years, but Washington is refusing to think that way.
“It was a huge experience. God knows everything. Leaving that year was God’s plan,” he said.
“I wanted to stay at Santos, but I spoke to my parents, and I had the chance to go to Chelsea. We chose together. God spoke to me, and we went to Chelsea. It was a huge experience, I had great players, like Thiago Silva.
“I was very lucky to work with them and have this huge experience. It wasn’t a mistake. I left when I had to leave and came back when I had to come back,” he declared.
“I learned a lot. A lot of experience with incredible players. It was incredible. I learned about tactics, positioning, how to deal with people on the field. Thiago Silva taught me a lot. I’m coming back at a much higher level than in 2023. I hope to help Santos a lot.”
